A man has been sentenced to death for the murder of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon.

Private Rooney was serving with UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in December 2022, when a UN convoy he was travelling in came under attack near Beirut.

The 24-year-old soldier was from Newtowncunningham in Co. Donegal.

Private Sean Rooney death, © PA Media

Mohammad Ayyad, was not in court when the death sentence was handed down on Monday.

A number of his co-accused were given lighter sentences, however, the main suspect in the soldiers' killing has still not been detained.

Lebanon has had a moratorium on the death penalty and hasn't carried out any executions for over 20 years.

22/12/2022 Members of the Defence Forces salute as the coffin of Pte Seán Rooney is carried from the Holy Family Church, Dundalk. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have welcomed the conviction.

However, Micheál Martin said some of the sentences were too lenient and said it took too long for the accused to be brought to justice.

"The delay for justice has been far too long.

"And I must say that some of the sentences are unduly lenient as well in respect of others.

"I've said repeatedly to the Lebanese authorities, that the nobility of the role of the peacekeeper must always be reflected in terms of bringing those who were responsible for this murder to justice, and we will continue to make that point."

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris said Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of peace.

Minister Harris said his thoughts are with Private Rooney's family and colleagues, including those who were injured the same night.